to understand that it could be weeks—weeks,” he repeated dramatically, “before Michelle will be able to go out with me again.”
Ellen put down an armload of cheese, ham and assorted jars of mustard and pickles. “No! Can I make it any plainer than that? I’m sorry, Derek, honest. But I can’t.”
“Reed,” Derek pleaded with his brother. “Say something that’ll convince her.”
“Like I said, I’m out of this one.”
He raised the paper again, but Ellen could sense a smile hidden behind it. Still, she doubted that Reed would be foolish enough to involve himself in this situation.
“Ellen, puleease.”
“No.” Ellen realized that if she wanted any peace, she’d have to forget about lunch and make an immediate escape. She whirled around and headed out of the kitchen, the door swinging in her wake.
“I think she’s weakening,” she heard Derek say as he followed her.
She was on her way up the stairs when she caught sight of Derek in the dining room, coming toward her on his knees, hands folded in supplication. “Won’t you please reconsider?”
Ellen groaned. “What do I need to say to convince you? I’ve got to get to the library. That paper is due Monday morning.”
“I’ll write it for you.”
“No, thanks.”
At just that moment Reed came through the door. “It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a reliable sitter. There are a few families with teenagers in the neighbourhood, as I recall.”
“I...don’t know,” Derek hedged.
“If we can’t find anyone, then Danielle and I’ll manage. It’ll be good practice for us. Besides, just how much trouble can two kids be?”
When she heard that, Ellen had to swallow a burst of laughter. Reed obviously hadn’t spent much time around children, she thought with a mischievous grin.
“How old did you say these kids are?” she couldn’t resist asking.
“Nine and four.” Derek’s dark eyes brightened as he leaped to his feet and gave his brother a grateful smile. “So I can tell Michelle everything’s taken care of?”
“I suppose.” Reed turned to Ellen. “I was young once myself,” he said pointedly, reminding her of the comment she’d made the night before.
“I really appreciate this, Reed,” Derek was saying. “I’ll be your slave for life. I’d even lend you money if I had some. By the way, can I borrow your car tonight?”
“Don’t press your luck.”
“Right.” Derek chuckled, bounding up the stairs. He paused for a moment. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Michelle’s bringing the kids over here, okay?”
He didn’t wait for a response.
* * *
THE DOORBELL CHIMED close to six o’clock, just as Ellen was gathering up her books and preparing to leave for the library.
“That’ll be Michelle,” Derek called excitedly. “Can you get it, Ellen?”
“No problem.”
Coloring books and crayons were arranged on the coffee table, along with some building blocks Reed must have purchased that afternoon. From bits and pieces of information she’d picked up, she concluded that Reed had discovered it wasn’t quite as easy to find a baby-sitter as he’d assumed. And with no other recourse, he and Danielle were apparently taking over the task. Ellen wished him luck, but she really did need to concentrate on this stupid term paper. Reed hadn’t suggested that Ellen wait around to meet Danielle. But she had to admit she’d been wondering about the woman from the time Derek had first mentioned her.
“Hello, Ellen.” Blonde Michelle greeted Ellen with a warm, eager smile. They’d met briefly the other night, when she’d come over to watch the movie. “This sure is great of Derek’s brother and his girlfriend, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.”
The four-year-old boy was clinging to Michelle’s trouser leg so that her gait was stiff-kneed as she limped into the house with the child attached.
“Jimmy, this is Ellen. You’ll be staying in her house tonight while Auntie Michelle goes out to dinner with Derek.”
“I want my mommy.”
“He won’t be a problem,” Michelle told Ellen confidently.
“I thought there were two children.”
“Yeah, the baby’s in the car. I’ll be right back.”
“Baby?” Ellen swallowed down a laugh. “What baby?”
“Jenny’s nine months.”
“Nine months?” A small uncontrollable giggle slid from her throat. This would be marvelous. Reed with a nine-month-old was almost too good to miss.
“Jimmy, you stay here.” Somehow Michelle was able to pry the four-year-old’s fingers from her leg and pass the struggling child to Ellen.
Kicking and thrashing, Jimmy broke into loud sobs as Ellen carried him into the living room. “Here’s a coloring book. Do you like to color, Jimmy?”
But he refused to talk to Ellen or even look at her as he buried his face in the sofa cushions. “I want my mommy,” he wailed again.
By the time Michelle had returned with a baby carrier and a fussing nine-month-old, Derek sauntered out from the kitchen. “Hey, Michelle, you’re lookin’ good.”
Reed, who was following closely behind, came to a shocked standstill when he saw the baby. “I thought you said they were nine and four.”
“I did,” Derek explained patiently, his eyes devouring the blonde at his side.
“They won’t be any trouble,” Michelle cooed as Derek placed an arm around her shoulders and led her toward the open door.
“Derek, we need to talk,” Reed insisted.
“Haven’t got time now. Our reservations are for seven.” His hand slid from Michelle’s shoulders to her waist. “I’m taking my lady out for a night on the town.”
“Derek,” Reed demanded.
“Oh.” Michelle tore her gaze from Derek’s. “The diaper bag is in the entry. Jenny should be dry, but you might want to check her later. She’ll probably cry for a few minutes once she sees I’m gone, but that’ll stop almost immediately.”
Reed’s face was grim as he cast a speculative glance at Jimmy, who was still howling for his mother. The happily gurgling Jenny stared up at the unfamiliar dark-haired man and noticed for the first time that she was at the mercy of a stranger. She immediately burst into heart-wrenching tears.
“I want my mommy,” Jimmy wailed yet again.
“I can see you’ve got everything under control,” Ellen said, reaching for her coat. “I’m sure Danielle will be here any minute.”
“Ellen...”
“Don’t expect me back soon. I’ve got hours of research ahead of me.”
“You aren’t really going to leave, are you?” Reed gave her a horrified look.
“I wish I could stay,” she lied breezily. “Another time.” With that, she was out the door, smiling as she bounded down the steps.
AN UNEASY FEELING struck Ellen as she stood waiting at the bus stop.